Hyderabad: In a befitting salutation to its distinguished alumnus and filmmaker par excellence, Osmania University on Wednesday reflected on Shyam Benegal’s remarkable contributions to cinema and his strong connection to the institution as one born in the city.
Benegal, who passed away on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90, was hailed all through his extraordinary life as a pioneer, who created a niche for himself and as a mentor to the next generation of filmmakers, with his penchant for social change through art as the medium.
At a condolence meeting presided over by vice chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram, the fraternity paid homage to Benegal’s legacy.
Addressing the gathering, the VC urged students to take inspiration from his life and work. “His stories were not just films; they were powerful reflections of society. He showed how art can bring about meaningful change,” he said.
Many speakers highlighted Benegal’s ability to tell authentic stories rooted in local realities, with his parallel films like Ankur, Nishant and Manthan shedding light on the struggles of ordinary people.
Born in Trimulgherry, Benegal graduated from Nizam College with a degree in Economics, which shaped his intellectual approach to storytelling.
Former HoD of journalism Prof. K. Stevenson described Benegal as a filmmaker who combined creativity with social responsibility. His role in founding the Hyderabad Film Society drew praise as it provided a platform to aspiring filmmakers to engage with cinema intellectually.
The meeting reflected on how Benegal’s work challenged societal norms and amplified the voices of the marginalised communities. Despite achieving global recognition, he remained connected to Osmania University, often serving as a role model for humility and lifelong learning.
Prof. Molugaram encouraged students to embrace the values that Benegal represented-intellectual curiosity, social awareness and an unwavering commitment to storytelling that reshaped the world.
The event culminated with condolences extended to his family and admirers, and a resolve to honour his legacy and take it forward by drawing lessons from Shyam Babu’s life and work.
